Lake Michigan

8/27/07

And away we go! Rolf and Kathy are officially starting “The Loop” today. We will both be contributing to this web site. Kathy will do the writing and Rolf will edit and post. We will try not to get too lazy as we go along and continue with our postings every week or so to keep all friends and family updated on our travels. This is an exciting day for us to finally be off after 2 years of thinking about it and 1 year of actually working toward it. Our house and cars are gone and we are officially live-aboards. We left Sheboygan Wisconsin this morning with some clouds and a little sea but you know how fast Lake Michigan can turn on you. Within two hours we were dealing with sustained winds of 20 to 30 with some to 40 and about 6 foot seas. Our friends are saying we are so adventurous for going down these rivers and traveling so far, but I think the big adventure is just getting out of Lake Michigan. We will see if my opinion changes in a couple of months.

9/4/07

So we worked our way down the lake. Sheboygan to Port to Milwaukee for two nights. Out with friends and relatives. Left Milwaukee then on to Racine. I got two new hats to fit in Racine. Anyone that knows me knows that is a big deal. Stopped at Waukegan, It feels a little like an armed camp. I seems the closer you get to Chicago, the bigger the gates get. On 9/2 we headed for DuSable Harbor at Chicago. Daughter Jenny, husband Randall and granddaughter Macy joined for several fun days. Took in the Lincoln Park Zoo and great eateries. On Monday we headed for Crowley’s Marine. Kids helped us remove the sails, boom etc, and get the rigging ready for the trip. Having it be 100 plus degrees and a field of blacktop was impressive especially for someone who usually hangs out in Lake Michigan. All my life I have complained that it is too cold so there will be no whining allowed now. Said a sad goodbye to the kids and tomorrow the mast comes down.

            On Tuesday the 4^th the mast is removed and ready for shipment. All the rigging and supplies are tied to the deck and we are ready to roll. Our friends from Sheboygan, Bob Kuehlman and Roger Fiegel, are here to help get us down the river and through the first several locks till we get acclimated. The have to be really good friends to help in 106 degree heat without complaint. There is no facilities at Crowley’s and these guys REALLY needed a shower. The ended up driving to Purdue Hammond. You’ve got to really want a shower to drive to another state  for one. Then we went to Aurelia’s in Homewood for pizza. Best ever. So now the trip really starts. Tomorrow we head south down the Calumet River and away we go. Good bye Lake Michigan! See you next summer.